Abdication. Long Live the King.
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Two years had passed, and the jungle had, more or less, enjoyed a time of peace and tranquility. Some humans had come and gone without incident.
Some had taken pictures and some had taken soil samples. On a few occasions an aircraft had flown over the jungle several times. No doubt trying to convince themselves that Mount Moon really wasn’t there.
Lune had grown into a magnificent white lion, as brave, strong, intelligent, wise and above all as compassionate as his father.
Leo had the great good fortune of watching him grow up into the future king of the jungle. He had often wished his father Panja could have watched him grow up.
Yet, Leo was immensely grateful to have had the opportunity to teach him and advise him and give Lune the very great benefit of his experience.
All the things that Leo had to learn the hard way and for the most part; alone.
Lune also had Higeoyaji’s friendship to draw lessons from about the human world.
Today Leo realized that it was finally time.
The animals had been called to meet in the grounds of the old ruins, and Leo stepped out onto the terrace with Lune at his side. It was very difficult to tell them apart.
Liya and Lukio walked out after them but stayed just a little way behind them.
Lukio was as beautiful and as graceful as her mother. Except perhaps that she was of a more playful nature. Unlike Liya who always showed such great dignity.
Higeoyaji had already positioned a small tree stump on one side of the terrace and sat with Mandy watching the proceedings with pride.
Coco stood perched on a nearby ledge and Tomy watched from just inside the doorway that led out to the terrace.
As all of the animals settled down, Leo spoke. “My friends; over the years I have done my very best to serve you as your leader. Many of you have called me “King”.
Well, I have done all that I could to live up to that title. I know that I have not always been right and yet all of you have always stood by me as I have stood by you. I have loved you and I love you all so much, and many times you have shown that you love me.
My friends, it is time.
My time as your leader and as your king, has drawn to an end.
Today I pass my leadership and all of my responsibilities to my son Lune.
I have loved every one of you so very much. Helping to take care of us all and our jungle home has been the greatest pleasure of my life and all of you have taken such good care of me.” Leo began to choke and stopped for a moment to collect himself while never losing his dignified stance. “Lune is, from today, your new leader. He has lived among you all since he was a cub and you all know that he loves you all as much I do. Love him too. Support him as you have all supported me. I will always be here for anyone who needs me. My leadership ends today but my friendship and my love for you all will remain forever. ” Leo finished, then stepped aside and behind Lune then left him to stand proudly alone.
Leo’s son stood quiet for a few moments to allow the strength of his father’s words to settle in. He watched the animals below, as the breeze gently blew his mane, just a little. At Lune’s continued insistence Higeoyaji had told him everything that had happened on the mountain. The first time and the second time.
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Lune felt that he had to know of such things in order to take himself, his friends and his home into what ever future awaited them.
Higeoyaji was bound to obey Lune’s request and told him everything in careful detail.
Lune was angry with his father for a while for attempting to sacrifice himself. But as Higeoyaji told him of the images of Leo’s life that the spirits had shown him, Lune began to understand and his anger quickly dissipated into love and respect for his father.
Lune then spoke gently but with love and authority. “I stand here, proud of who we are, what we have become and what we have made our jungle home to be.
I believe we have a wonderful and bright future ahead.
I will be with you through the good times and through the bad times.
Before and after I am your king, I am your friend and I will be for as long as I live.
I will do my best, just as my father did to help to take care of all of us and our home.
Thank you, everyone.”
Just as Lune finished speaking, Higeoyaji stood up and walked over to Lune and kneeled down beside him so that all of the animals in the crowd below could see, at the same time running his hand through Lune’s mane. As Lune looked at him, Higeoyaji bowed low to him. He then looked up at Lune and Lune looked down at Higeoyaji.
“Lune, I give you my friendship, my life, my service and my love.” He said. “You and everyone here have been, and will always be, my friends and I will be here for you and for all animals, for as long as I live.”
Lune was caught by surprise, as he didn’t know that Higeoyaji was going to say anything.
“Thank you, my friend.” He answered, as Higeoyaji returned to his seat.
Lune watched Higeoyaji as he sat down and then Leo, Lukio and Liya approached Lune and stood next to him.
Each exchanged a loving glance and Leo looked at his son too with love and a heart full of pride and then the four lions looked straight ahead and roared.
The cats that were in the crowd below also joined in and then the rest of the animals joined in. Soon the noise died down and the animals began to disperse and life would return to normal.
Leo, Liya and Lukio turned to walk off the terrace followed by Mandy and Coco.
Lune walked over to Higeoyaji who was still sitting on his tree stump and stood in front of him.
“Higeoyaji.” Said Lune, calling him by his whole name for the first time.
“There are only two things in my life that I feel safe enough to take for granted, the love of my family and your love and friendship. You say that you offer me your friendship and service, your life and your love. My friend, Higeoyaji, I have always and will always give you the same.”
Higeoyaji got off his seat and onto his knees and Lune took a step back and sat down and both hugged each other as he had hugged Leo, Liya, Lukio and Lune many times before.
Lune spoke gently and quietly into Higeoyaji’s ear. “Higeo, thank you, for showing my friends that we are all equal here.”
“ I am not above them, Lune I am one of them, I am one of you. What ever awaits us in the future, my dear friend, good and bad, I will be there. I will be there with you and all of you for ever.”
Life. Death. Life. Long Live the King. 54
Eight years had passed, since Leo passed power to his son, Lune and there had been many trials which had tested Lune, Leo and Higeoyaji and indeed their whole family and all of the animals in the jungle.
At times loves and friendships had been strained but loves and friendships had grown stronger and absolutely unbreakable.
The search for Mount Moon had ended long ago and now most of the time the humans that came sought exploitation of the animals.
But as everyone banded together the trials were overcome.
On one occasion Lune had given chase to a truck full of captured animals and was shot almost fatally. He had lain where he had been shot for many hours until the searching birds found his unconscious body.
Higeoyaji brought his medical skills to bear and only just saved his life.
Lune was angry with himself for not having stopped them and Higeoyaji was angry with him for not asking for his help.
Lune recovered from his wounds quickly, but his recriminations at his failure were taking much longer to pass.
Leo tried to console him by reminding him that animals were sometimes taken during his time too, and he too had been taken on occasion.
No one blamed him; sometimes it just wasn’t possible to prevent such attacks by the humans.
During this time Lune found a wife and they both had a son and daughter of their own. Lukio had found a badly wounded wild rogue lion named Sonkei. He had been unsuccessful in an attempt to take over a wild pride and was near death when Lukio found him. Higeoyaji had treated his wounds and even though he was a wild lion he was made to understand that peace and friendship were the rules here. Lukio saw good in him and soon they became friends. Sonkei did indeed have a good heart and quickly surpassed his wild ways as he came to know Leo, Lune and the lioness and the human who saved his life. He became a trusted and honored member of the lion family as he came to understand the peace and love that surrounded him here. His relationship with Lukio grew and eventually they had a family of their own too.
Lune had found his wife Shorai trapped in an animal pit and with Higeoyaji’s help had rescued her, during the night, before the trappers returned.
From that moment on their relationship blossomed in to love and they became absolutely inseparable.
Lune and his wife Shorai named their white lion son Kennin and their daughter Chie.
Now Kennin was just over two years old and was soon going to be of age to assume leadership. Kennin had a quiet and serious nature and as a cub, and even as an adult, loved following Lune where ever he went joyfully learning life’s lessons with his father.
Kennin had inherited the strength and understanding of countless generations of white lions before him and adored his father and grandfather enormously, absorbing every bit of wisdom that was imparted to him. But the tale of Mount Moon was his favorite.
He loved to sit by a fire when ever his grandfather Leo and his friend Higeoyaji wanted to tell the story and as often as they wanted to tell it.
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Chie had grown up as beautiful as her mother Shorai and had all of the strength, courage and dignity of both her mother and her grandmother Liya.
Lukio and her husband Sonkei had four cubs, two boys and two girls, but sadly two of them were born not breathing and Higeoyaji’s frantic attempts to revive them had failed.
They named their remaining son, Hikari and their daughter Yorushi.
Several years before, Tomy had died and had brought great sadness to many animals.
The whole lion family was deeply saddened by the loss of Tomy but not more so than Leo and Coco.
Tomy had been found one bright morning in his usual sleeping place. He had slipped away quietly in the night. Coco almost died of melancholy.
Higeoyaji could do nothing to help Coco survive his friend’s loss.
Ever since Coco had arrived in the jungle, he and Tomy had been constant companions.
Partners for constant arguing, and partners for friendship and support.
Tomy was the only one in the jungle who could put up with Coco’s fiery character and his infuriating voice. Coco was the only bird allowed to sit and sleep in his adored hat.
Now the hat lay in Leo’s room. Higeoyaji had built a special stand for it so that Coco could sleep in it whenever he wanted to. Coco had recovered from Tomy’s passing but he never recovered the character he had become because of Tomy’s support.
Without him Coco was empty and he became quiet and sad.
Perhaps he had been saved from his melancholy by Leo’s command that he resume his position of jungle news service. His particular skills were needed. Coco didn’t want to let anyone one down, especially Leo or Lune so he continued his most important job.
But between announcements he remained undeniably quiet and sad.
Coco knew Tomy loved him and Coco loved him more than he ever thought to tell him.
He regretted never telling Tomy how much he appreciated him; Coco hoped he knew.
Mandy was still the wise old sage who always seemed to know more than he let on.
But these days Mandy was much older and slower and happy to just sit around all day and watch the world go peacefully by.
Although when called on for advice or for help he always managed to summon up the energy to do what ever needed to be done.
Leo and Liya were now around sixteen years old. Quite an old age for lions.
Higeoyaji had entered Leo’s life at Leo’s prime and had seen him and Liya at their very best.
Both were old now and tired. But with an unsurpassable strength of spirit.
Higeoyaji had watched Leo become more gray than white but he was still a lion not to be under estimated. Liya was still so soft and gentle, quiet and dignified yet she too was stronger of mind and body than she appeared to be.
As he often watched them, Higeoyaji was filled with sadness at thoughts of losing them.
Their time was drawing to a close and he did not know how he was going to survive their leaving.
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His spirit had become one with Leo and then Liya. When they leave this mortal world the separation of their spirits from his was going to be extremely difficult at best.
He thought also about the pain one would suffer at the loss of the other.
Who ever was left behind after the other had passed away probably would pass away soon after.
Leo and Liya were too closely connected for one to live long without the other.
Perhaps that was why the spirits had restored her to him.
Leo and Liya’s family also knew the end was near, as they both became quieter and quieter day by day.
Both spent long periods out on the cool shady terrace lying next to each other, often asleep and rarely speaking to each other when awake, not out loud anyway.
What ever they had to say to each other was being said quietly between their hearts and minds. As their bodies were becoming weaker their spirits were becoming stronger.
Lune, Kennin and Shorai, Lukio and her family too became sadder as they watched their parents and grandparents slowly become less and less a part of this world and more and more a part of the next.
Yet Leo and Liya seemed happy and content whenever someone spoke to them.
Neither of them seemed to fear their passing and appeared almost happy that it was close.
Leo had never wanted to know what had happened on the mountain when Higeoyaji went up there the second time. Unless someone else had told him he still didn’t know.
The mournful day had finally arrived yet it was strange that on this saddest of days, that the dawn could be such a beautiful fiery red, with shades of gold and purple.
The dawning sky was announcing that a beautiful day was arriving; all be it a sad one.
The Great White Lion’s time had finally come and it seemed that indeed both partners in life and love knew their passing into the next world was at hand.
Since Leo had invited Higeoyaji to live with his family he had lived in Leo’s and Liya’s room.
Higeoyaji had spent hours, during this night, watching and listening to them.
They were both on their bed saying their quiet good-byes to their family and, in his exhaustion from dealing with his sorrow, Higeoyaji had momentarily dozed off.
He felt a soft touch on his shoulder and gently awoke.
Lune was nudging him to wake him up and get his attention. “Higeo, I think it’s time. You’d better wake up and come over.” He said quietly and sadly.
Higeoyaji knew what Lune meant and in an instant he jumped quickly off his bed.
Leo and Liya, lay quietly next to each other and as he quickly rushed over to them, he noticed through the southern window, that Mount Moon had appeared.
All of the lion family was there, of course, and Mandy and Coco were there too as well as many other animals that had arrived into the room since he had dozed off.
No one spoke. The mood was sad and somber.
The room was quite large but so many animals had walked in that there simply wasn’t enough room to hold anymore.
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All of the animals in the jungle knew what was happening and as many as possible were inside Leo’s room and had occupied as much of the old ruined building as they could, the rest waited outside.
Not a single sound.
The jungle was quiet; in expectation of the mournful event that approached.
In living memory, Leo was the first white lion that was going to die here of old age.
Leo and Liya had already spoken to their family and said goodbye to them all.
Higeoyaji kneeled down at their bed, tears uncontrollably streaming down his face.
Leo said softly, “Hold my paw Higeo.”
Liya asked him to hold her paw too.
He held Leo’s paw and then he held Liya’s paw. With both hands occupied he couldn’t wipe his eyes and his tears and emotion just ran uncontrolably. He wanted to speak to Leo but just couldn’t control himself enough to make his mouth work.
Leo began to speak softly, “Higeoyaji, do you remember when you went back to the mountain you made me promise not to be sad about your death. Well I ask you now to make Liya and I the same promise.”
Higeoyaji couldn’t answer Leo’s promise, he just couldn’t speak.
Liya then spoke in her beautiful soft voice, “You must not be sad Higeoyaji, Leo and I are going to see you again one day. I know you will miss us until then, and we will miss you too.”
“Yes Higeo.” Added Leo. “ I know, we will indeed be there together. You and I and Liya and the children and every white lion that was or ever will be. I will soon be with my mother and father again and so will Liya. Yes, all the animals and I’m sure some good humans will be there too, my friend. Don’t worry, when you arrive I will find you.
I love you too much to let you go Higeoyaji. I’ll see you soon dear friend, my dearest human friend. I thank you for my life and my love,” he said, looking at Liya, “and my family, my home and my dream.”
Liya turned to look at Higeoyaji, “Oh Higeo,” she said “ Please don’t worry, Leo and I will be leaving you now, but we will watch over you and everyone. I love you, Higeo.
I thank you for Leo, who is and always will be, my life and my love. I thank you for my children and the happiness that you have brought me and us and our home.” Finished Liya.
Higeoyaji summoned all of the strength he could and controlled him self just long enough. He looked at both of them looking at him, although he could barely see through his watery swollen eyes.
“Leo, Liya, you thank me?” he said with difficulty, “It is I who should thank you.
There is just no way I can tell you in human words how much you have meant to me and how much you have given me through the years. I have loved you and cared for you and cared about you since the first day I came here and I will love you both forever.
I promise you I will do my very best to take care of your family and of your home.”
Leo and Liya both smiled at him then pressed his hands with their paws to acknowledge him and his promise, then both took one last look at their family and at Higeoyaji and lay their heads down slowly together and both closed their eyes, at the same time.
The family, all of the animals in the jungle and Higeoyaji felt their spirits depart.
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At that very moment Lune let out a roar of pain and anguish as had never been heard before. Kennin joined in and then Higeoyaji looked up and yelled as loud as he could, hoping to release his pain.
Lukio and then everyone joined in to farewell their great King and Queen.
Haguura, who was below, was deeply distressed that this day had finally come.
Since Leo had returned from the mountain, they had both become close friends and
often walked together and shared stories and wisdom and friendship.
Leo and Liya had spoken to him a few days earlier as their time drew close, knowing that they would not be able to say good bye to him in their final moments.
Haguura longed to be able to be in contact with Leo’s body when he passed away but he knew it just wasn’t possible. In his sadness Haguura had laid his whole body against the building and caressed the wall with his trunk.
He too felt his friend’s spirits depart and he let out a loud, mournful and sad trumpet.
The deafening noise continued for hours and Higeoyaji quickly became hoarse from crying. But the noise continued, and the roaring continued and the trumpeting continued.
Hours later the noise began to die down. Many of the native people that lived within many miles of the jungle had heard, what was to them the most terrifying sound and became very afraid of what ever was happening there. And the appearance of Mount Moon only heightened their fears. This was a day they would speak of for many years.
During the loud farewell Mount Moon had stood for hours, longer than it had ever stood.
As the noise slowly declined, Mount Moon also began to fade away.
When the jungle was quiet again, the mountain had gone.
Higeoyaji was still kneeling at their bed and still holding their paws. But he had lost his energy and his body had limply fallen on to the straw and he too lay there with Leo and Liya.
Lune walked up to Higeoyaji and touched him softly just in time to see Mount Moon slowly slip away.
As they watched the spirit mountain depart, Higeoyaji remembered what Leo had said to him on the snow and ice after his failed attempt to kill himself to save him.
“My life began in the hands of humans who loved me and took care of me, it seems fitting that my life should end in the hands of a human.”
Higeoyaji looked back away from the southern window and looked down at Leo and Liya still holding his hands. Leo had wanted to end his life as it had begun, in the hands of a human and in the end; he and Liya did just that.
Higeoyaji remained kneeling there, with his hands still in their firm grip, overwhelmed at Leo and Liya’s final gesture. Kennin stood beside him looking sadly at his grandparents while Lune and Lukio sat quietly whimpering. Higeoyaji released himself from Leo and Liya’s grip and turned to hold Kennin’s head close to his face for a little while then gestured to Lune and Lukio to step closer to him.
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Each stood on either side of him and with his head between them he put his arm around their necks while both continued to whimper slowly and softly.
Kennin, who adored his grandparents, stepped over to their bed and lay his head gently in front of them and he too whimpered as he ran his face along their bodies.
Mandy sat quietly on a small tree stump and grieved as he watched his lion family try to come to terms with their loss.
Mandy was, perhaps, the oldest animal in the jungle. He had seen many animals pass away including many of his own dearest friends. He had experienced and mourned the loss of Panja and the theft of Eliza. But he had never known such sadness as this.
At this moment he was hoping that he too would pass away before he had to experience the loss of another adopted son, of another white lion.
“How awful.” He thought, shaking his head as he cried. “ Too, much to bear. Too much for an old baboon to bear.”
Coco sat quietly and sadly in Tomy’s hat. The loss of Tomy had made him irreversibly sad and seemed almost unaware of the loss as he sat there glassy eyed and staring.
But Coco was very much aware of the loss as words failed him and grieving failed him.
Lukio looked up sadly and then yelled excitedly. “Look everyone, look. Out on the terrace, look.”
Everyone turned to see what was out there and then ran out to the terrace including Coco, who had been shocked out of his dreamlike state by Lukio’s yelling, flew outside as well.
The sky was bright and blue and each one stood there knowing that Leo and Liya were indeed watching over all of them and that one day they would all be together again.
As Mount Moon disappeared, the dark clouds that had gathered around it turned brilliant white and slowly arranged themselves into the shape of a Great White Lion and his
Great White Lioness and from somewhere around them and within them they heard the two Great White Lions roar.
Higeoyaji looked up at his friends in the clouds and managed a smile through his sadness.
Their appearance was giving them all strength and encouragement for the times ahead.
The future would be hard, it wasn’t always going to be smooth and easy but it was going to be a bright future of hope and yes a future filled with love and family and companionship and even death would not be able to separate any of them.
The time of the final convergence of good and evil was still a long way away but Higeoyaji knew that he and all of these friends here on the terrace around him, and indeed all of the animals, were one day going to be there with Leo and Liya and that all of them would be a part of that great time.
As Higeoyaji watched his friends in the clouds, he then looked at all of his friends around him and said quietly and softly,
“One day, I and all of us, will all see you both again Leo, Liya.”
Epilogue